Author: Stan Cox
Defilement
Under Mosaic law, there were certain actions and circumstances that rendered a person defiled before God. The Hebrew word translated defiled in the Old Testament texts discussing this state (tâmê) is defined by Strong: to be foul, especially in a ceremonial or moral sense (contaminated).
The reference to ceremonial “foulness” is especially important in light of the Old Testament references to such defilements. While they sometimes refer to moral actions that intrinsically are sinful (such as idolatry, sexual immorality, etc.), often it had reference to things that are not inherently sinful in God’s eyes. Things like childbirth, the touching of a dead body, or a woman’s menstruation.
The Patternists: What Nature Teaches Us
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4).
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead…” (Romans 1:20).
These two passages, and others like them reveal that the physical universe testifies of both the existence of God, and of certain attributes He possesses. Consider the truths we can discern from them.
“Holding Fast” the Faithful Word
In Titus 1:9, there is a phrase used to describe a qualification for elders, which should be present in every Christian. The elder must hold fast the “faithful word.” Though they are not alone in the requirement, it is especially important for an elder to be able and willing to defend the truth.
The phrase “hold fast” is taken from a single Greek word. Vine defines that term — to hold firmly to, cleave to.
The word that is to be cleaved to is the “faithful” (pistos) word. Vine’s says that in the context of Titus 1:9, this word is — faithful, to be trusted, reliable.
The “word” (logos) is a common word here used to refer to the sayings of God. In effect, the doctrine delivered by the Holy Spirit. This is why it can be trusted, or relied upon. As Peter states, “…no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).
This defense of God’s word is possible when one “has been taught.” This emphasizes the needed teaching in our churches, and the importance of any man who would be an elder to be familiar with the doctrine of Christ.
The reason for this is seen in the phrase, “that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” No man should occupy the office of elder who is not able both to correct the misunderstandings and actions of the flock, and to protect against false teachers.
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Sermon: The Samaritans
The lesson discusses the origin of the Samaritans (2 Kings 17), and a few applications we can make concerning authority (John 4).
Sermon: The Gospel is Sufficient
Speaker: Ian Tilley
A fundamental truth found in the inspired word is that the gospel is sufficient to bring instruction and salvation to mankind.
The Good and Bad of Wisdom
In reading on the topic of wisdom, as the concept is treated in scripture, it is interesting to note that it is a rather mixed bag. So, a principle has to be understood from the start. When you read of wisdom in scripture, is the reference to divine wisdom? That is, wisdom that comes from God? Or does it refer to those things that are regarded as wise which come from men? It seems like this is the line of demarcation in determining whether wisdom is “good” or “bad.” Consider the following:
First, being wise doesn’t do you any good if there is no God. This is established by the wise man of Ecclesiastes in chapter 2:12-16. Yes, the wisdom is better than foolishness while you live on the earth. “The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness” (14). But wisdom doesn’t spare you from death. “So I said in my heart, ‘As it happens to the fool, it also happens to me, and why was I then more wise?’ Then I said in my heart, ‘This also is vanity’” (15). Both the wise and the foolish die. And, eventually the wisdom of the wise man fades into the past, and is no longer remembered, “all that now is will forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die? As the fool!” (16).
The Patternists: This Thing is from Me
Many are familiar with the rebellion of Jeroboam, leading to the division of Israel shortly after Rehoboam, son of Solomon took the throne. The events leading to the division of God’s people is recorded in 2 Chronicles 10. But, God alluded to these events in a conversation with Jeroboam in 1 Kings 11:31, when the prophet Ahijah delivered God’s message, “And he said to Jeroboam, ‘Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you.”’”
Though Rehoboam played his own part in losing the northern tribes to Jeroboam, he reacted in a predictable manner to the rebellion. 2 Chronicles 11 relates Rehoboam’s assembly of an army of 180,000 chosen warriors to go and fight against Jeroboam and the rebellious tribes, “that he might restore the kingdom to Rehoboam” (2 Chronicles 11:1).
Self-Controlled
The Greek word translated self-controlled in Titus 1:8, is egkrates. This adjective only occurs here in the New Testament, though the noun form enkrateia is found numerous times (ex: Acts 24:25, Galatians 5:23, 2 Peter 1:6).
Thayer defines the term: having power over, possessed of (a thing). Mastering, controlling, curbing, restraining. Strong defines the term: strong in a thing (masterful); self-controlled (in appetite, etc.) temperate.
An elder needs to have mastery over his desires and inclinations. When God created us with desires, He intended us to interact in accord with His will. We are told to “be angry, and do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). That the marriage bed is honorable and “undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). That we are not to walk as the Gentiles walk, “in the same flood of dissipation” (1 Peter 4:4). An intemperate man is not worthy of the eldership.
In the New King James translation, the Greek term is translated “self-controlled” primarily because in modern English the term “temperate” (as found in the KJV) is used primarily regarding the use of alcohol. It is important to note that control over ourselves and our inclinations should be present in everything. “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls” (Proverbs 25:28). It is a fruit of the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:23), to be added to our faith (cf. 2 Peter 1:6). It will be present in every Christian who is pleasing God.
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Sermon: God Can Revive Us!
All of us can use refreshing, rejuvinating, revival. God is the source of our renewal, if we come to Him with a humble and contrite heart. (Text discussed in this lesson, Psalm 119:153-160.
Sermon: In My Father’s House are Many Mansions
In lesson 35 of the series, the discussion centers on the first 6 verses of Jesus’ address to His disciples on the night of His betrayal. (John 14:1-6).
A Survey of Conversions
The book of Acts supplies numerous examples of conversions to Christ. In that Jesus proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6), the importance of these examples can not be overstated. The only way to have fellowship with God is to be converted to Christ.
In Acts 2, we read the first example of the gospel preached (14-36). Peter affirmed His sacrifice and His resurrection from the dead. A great number from the audience that day believed what Peter proclaimed about Jesus, and asked the question “what shall we do?” (37). Peter told them to repent and be baptized “for the remission of sins” (38). Summary: The gospel was preached. Believers in Christ were called to repent and be baptized to have their sins remitted. Three thousand souls did as Peter commanded, and were added to the church as they were saved (41).
Holy
The Greek term hosios is found in Titus 1:8, as one of the qualifications for elders, and is translated holy. This is one of 8 times the term appears in the New Testament manuscripts (Acts 2:27; 13:34,35; 1 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 7:26; and Revelation 15:4; 16:5). As Vine notes in his definition of the term, it is used to refer to God, Jesus, certain Messianic promises to David, and to the character of Christians. It is found 41 times in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (Septuagint).
In Titus 1:8, the reference is to a character trait that must be present in those who would serve as elders. Strong defines it as proper, right, pious, hallowed. Thayer says it refers to those pious toward God, with a special and preeminent sense in which it refers to the Messiah Himself. Vine states that it refers to being religiously right, holy (as opposed to that which is unrighteous or polluted).
All Christians should have this character trait. When we consider that Jesus is perfectly holy, as His disciples we seek to be as He is. This requires us to acknowledge His authority, and to seek to submit to His definition of rightness and piety.
It is not enough to be religious. We must be religiously right. It is not enough to be pious, our piety must be toward God and His will. It is not enough to act as others see to be proper. We must act as God determines is proper. Then, and only then, are we holy. “Because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I [the Lord] am holy’” (1 Peter 1:16).
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The Patternists: Conduct Yourselves in Fear
The apostle Peter, in his first epistle, emphasized the importance of living holy lives. “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
The text continues with a discourse on the redemption of his readers. They were redeemed with “the precious blood of Christ” (19). Christ was raised from the dead, “so that your faith and hope are in God” (21).
Continue reading “The Patternists: Conduct Yourselves in Fear”
Sermon: Thanksgiving
The expression of Thanksgiving for blessings changes our perceptions about ourselves, our possessions, and our God.
Sermon: Ingratitude
Speaker: Aaron Collier
In this 15 minute lesson, Aaron emphasizes the importance of not only being grateful, but also expressing that gratitude to God and men.
